SPEAKING OF SPRING.....

My close friend Logan Howcott, who is an amazingly talented stylist, is having a trunk show for designer Jodi Arnold. I have too many pieces to count of Alabama native Jodi's clothing when her brand was Mint. Each piece is so original and the fit is perfect! Now she is designing under her own name and the prices are a bit more affordable. Logan hand selected all of the must haves from Jodi's Spring collection just in time for some warmer weather. Please stop by the showing and pick up a few things that will make everyone green with spring envy!

SPRINGTIME! IT'S here...AT LEAST FOR TODAY!

Thank Goodness for a little sunshine and warmer temperatures! It even inspired a pair of drawings.

STICKING IT OUT

This is the adorable home of a my friend and client Kelly McCartney. She and her husband had massive flooding and damage to their Arabi home during Katrina. Instead of retreating..they did a complete reconstruction of their home and made it work even better for their growing family. Kelly has such a great eye and her home is peaceful, modern, and functional. She had artist Kaki Foley paint the walls of her baby boy's room in a chevron pattern. Isn't it adorable? I also have to say that she selected one of my favorite paintings for her family room. Parting with the piece to Kelley was much easier than I anticipated. I knew it was going to live in the perfect happy home.

PETER PATOUT'S GREEN HIDEAWAY

I snapped these pictures months ago in Peter Patout's French Quarter home. Peter is an antiques, New Orleans, history, garden/plant aficionado and a wonderful friend. We both like to get into a bit of trouble. Well, the trouble may just involve some cocktails and estate sales but that's just the kind of trouble I'm looking for! His Bourbon Street double has an amazing guest house and has been featured in World of Interiors and many other magazines. I thought a bit of green in this day of iced-over dead banana plants would be enjoyed by all!

SANDY DAYDREAMS

It's official...I'm ill. Mardi Gras has come and gone and left me with a head and chest cold. So today, I came into the studio and spent the day on the internet. Pseudo-work. I'm tired of being cold, and the last two years I was basking in the tropical February sun. I'm sick and homesick for the careless days of lounging on the Mexican shore. I started browsing a few vacation rentals and I'll share my finds with you. Any recommendations would be great!

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (I've never traveled to Puerto Vallarta but I know it's a pretty short flight from New Orleans. I've been to Playa Del Carmen and Isla Mujeres and loved them both!)

Caye Caulker, Belize (I've spent time in Caye Caulker and it is amazingly quiet, laid-back, and beautiful. Very undeveloped and un-touristy)

San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
(I've been dying to go San Miguel and spend a month painting. I know it's not a beach destination but I'm sure I could make do!)

OH SWEET VICTORY!

I NEED TO GET TO WORK....

But I keep thinking that I really, really need one of these poufs from West Elm. Honestly, I so don't need anything but I would love to have a few. And the problem is that I don't just want one sheepskin pouf. I want four of them to make a Moroccan-style lounge area for my sun porch. Hookahs and hookers hanging about...that's a joke..sort of... but it would be so lovely to create a grotto-esque room. I'll keep y'all posted on that.

!!!!!!!!!!!!WHO DAT!!!!!!!!!!!

ESTATE SALE INSANITY

Last Saturday, I made a one block detour to my studio and found the treasure hunt of the year. Sterling silver bowls, initialed flatware, beautiful linens, and glassware, all taunted me with their teensy price tags. I broke out into a sweat. I looked around and remembered my days of playing basketball and got my defense on. I made piles on the stairs by the cash register and tried to tell myself that all of it was necessary and totally justified. One van load later and these are the sale champion's spoils. I'm quite certain that the days watching my Mother working at the Junior League Nearly Nu Shop fully prepared me for moments like this.

Second day score $125

another 1/2 off deal
How cool is this little guy?
I hoarded all of the overlooked bedcovers. My dogs love to jump on a fresh quilt and I've grown tired of washing heavy quilts every other day so these are perfect.
I think my friend Ashley Schumacher wanted to stab me when she saw this set of 12 rooster cocktail napkins I scored for $14. She needs to pipe down because I'm the one who brought her to the damn sale.

I bought tons and tons of the cranberry glasswear.

I bought my friend Rebecca Thomason a set of Linen dinner napkins embroidered with R's for half off of $35. You do the math...I stole them. I also picked up a set of sterling flatware for 60 bucks with monogrammed R's the second day. She's totally set!
This is the magic recipe the ladies from the Garden Club gave me. If you run into some antique linens and want to make them look like new, here's your recipe.
So here's the deal, if you see me at another yard, tag, or estate sale, follow my lead and get the hell out of my way. I carry cash.

MORE PICTURES

Carriage House photos

LA PLAYA JUICE BAR

Finally... A place in Uptown to get fresh juices. This morning I ordered a beet, apple, and carrot combination that was truly delicious. It almost undid all of the damage from my gin and tonics the night before. This new breakfast, lunch, coffee, juice spot on the corner of Clio and Baronne and is too cute. Check it out if you are in the neighborhood. They also made a pretty mean tuna salad sandwich!